Spoilers!
Just thought I’d ask what your personal opinion of preview events is? As a journalist I imagine the insight into the games is interesting, but as a gamer I could imagine playing levels out of sequence could ultimately ruin the experience when playing through the complete game.

Also, do you also feel it is worth your time attending the events for games that seem so uninspiring (the new Army Of Two) or when the developer is cagy about the product and doesn’t show much or any footage (Destiny)?Keef25 (PSN ID)

GC: Preview events do often end up a bit like reviewing a movie trailer but it’s always interesting to meet developers, which can often compensate for when they don’t show much of the actual game. We are very wary about playing extended sections though, as it can spoil the impact, especially since developers inevitably choose a really good bit – and one that can be fairly unrepresentative of the final product. It’s usually pretty obvious when something is very good or very bad, although judging anything more subtle than that is often impossible.

Gut Instinct
Would just like to know if you know of or have seen anything on The Walking Dead: Survival Instinct? There’s one trailer so far and that’s it. I cannot find anything about it. I’m guessing it’s going to be a poor use of the license but ya never know, I may be wrong. It’s meant to be out in just over two weeks too.

I do like most zombie games and the TV show so it may have some appeal to me. I just don’t really want to stump up £40 and get a rubbish four hour game.Omen66

GC: It looked relatively promising when we last saw a preview. Certainly the developer was very enthusiastic and they specifically promised us it wouldn’t be a four hour game. However, we weren’t allowed to play it ourselves, so we’d really advise waiting to see a review.

No smoke without fire?
RE: Dead Space 4 cancellation. If I had the opportunity, I would punch the execs at EA square in the face. Having a big interest in sci-fi, Dead Space 1 and 2 are two of my favourite games ever and I was really excited when news of Dead Space 3 leaked out, then I was very disappointed to learn of its new action direction, so much so that I never bought it.

So now it turns out it was some pillocks in suits, who no doubt get paid crazy money, decided the series needed to pander to Call of Duty fans and the sales suffer as a result and, if it turns out to be true, Dead Space 4 is cancelled.

If it is true, I have a better idea. How about these imbeciles get sacked for the awful business decision they made and their salaries can help fund Dead Space 4, taking it back to the survival horror theme that it built its reputation on. Fans get what they want, Visceral staff still earn a wage, and these spanners wearing suits learn from their mistakes and learn to trust the talented people making them and their company bucket loads of cash. Rant: over (for now).
Funtimefitzy

GC:Everything at the moment suggests that it’s not true, at least regarding the future of the franchise itself. There do certainly seem to have been layoffs at Visceral though.

No limits
In response to Decietfularcher’s letter on religion in games, I could not disagree more with his comment that games should not be taking on the topic of faith. On the contrary, I found it heartening to hear Irrational Games are tackling the subject, and especially to see that Ken Levine was willing to take on board his artist’s concerns. It demonstrated that Levine was willing to have his own preconceptions challenged, and, as you will note from the link, the employee in question has decided to stay with the company, perhaps indicating he is happy with their visions.

My biggest concern though is in saying that any particular subject should be off limits for any medium. One of the key elements of the Protestant Reformation was the invention of the printed word, and the subsequent ability to mass produce The Bible in local language. It allowed a great many people direct access to the articles of their faith, where previously this would have been restricted to the clergy and those select few others who could read Latin.

The fight the Catholic Church put up to hold back this particular tide demonstrates just how powerful a tool a new media can be in changing people’s views. Whilst I’m not claiming that games will incite the same kind of seismic shift, to cordon them off from the discussion only serves to narrow the avenues we have by which to analyse and test our faith.

For what it’s worth I am really looking forward to BioShock Infinite – and examining how our good book(s) can be corrupted by a charismatic leader seems a noble goal. Japanese developers have never had a problem incorporating religious critiques into their games, and it’s about time we started to do the same in the West. Otherwise we’re going to be stuck with Crystal Dragon Jesus, and at least Levine seems to want to avoid that.Jon Fonseca

GC: We thought for a moment Crystal Dragon Jesus was going to be the name of a game. It really needs to be. Or the name of a band.

Personal belief
RE: deceitfullarcher. If you have a problem with the new BioShock story line I’d suggest you just don’t buy it, simple really. I feel the world would be a much happier place without religion full stop, but that’s just my belief and just because I believe something that doesn’t make it true.

Episodes 200/201 of South Park were ruined because Paramount were so afraid of offending a very vocal religion so I’m not in any way sympathetic to censorship on religious grounds. If something offends you, it’s worth remembering no one is forcing you to watch or play it.

I think BioShock Infinite will be a cracking game and I’m looking forward to it a lot but I’m curious why you think the question of faith should be out of bounds for video games? I’m confident the developers will weave a thought-provoking and intelligent story, which is more than most developers even attempt.mitchell

Late night viewing
Just spotted this in my TV guide. The 2013 BAFTA Game Awards: Winners is on at 10.00pm on Monday 11th March 2013 on Challenge (Freeview Channel 46, Freesat Channel 145, Sky Channel 125 and Virgin Channel 139), followed by The Blurb: BAFTA Special at 11.00pm.Japes

Black or white
RE: my previous letter. I’m not missing the point about microtransactions, just pointing out people don’t have to buy these games and that I myself feel gaming is in a great place. Positivity, you see? No, OK then gaming is evil.

On another note just been replaying the Gears Of Wars series in co-op and noticed even the first game is still excellent, and was wondering what you would score it if it was released now? zombiekicker (gamertag)
PS: Will be coming up to Gears Of War 3 co-op soon if anyone wants to join in.

GC: What if they want to buy/play the game, but don’t want to endure the problems created by the microtransactions? As for Gears we’d have to replay it ourselves to give it a new rating, but the series has always been a solid 8/10 in our books.

Potentially boring
My interest in gaming has severely waned in the last few months. It may be due to the lack of free time or, and more likely, it may be because I just can’t find a good game! Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying there aren’t good games out there. I just can’t seem to enjoy any that I have played. When I play I feel as if I’m doing it just for the sake of doing it.

I am hoping (to the gaming gods) that BioShock Infinite will rekindle my passion for gaming. I absolutely loved the first game (it’s in my top three). I completed it four times and it’s still the only game that I have all the Achievements too.

So, please, please, please let it be good! Because if it ain’t I may actually have to become a boring, disheartened member of the society of ex-gamers.xMASHHEADx (gamertag)
PS: Quick point about BioShock and religion. If video games can deal with such social issues as crime, war, sexuality, etc. Then why can it not deal with the most important and widespread issue, religion?

Forget the cushions
All this Star Wars pinball talk has reminded me of what my other half actually owns (see picture). It is currently residing at her parents’ place and although she has moved in with me it looks like it will never make the journey to my place, despite her seeing fit to bring over a load of clothes and girl things and cushions instead!

In fact she has never even let me have a go on it. She is very cool for owning it though and it has already prompted a marriage proposal from @gamecentralfans on Twitter!simjhpy (gamertag/Twitter)

GC: Has she insisted on a prenup to make sure she keeps it? Joking aside, congratulations on the marriage-to-be, and your future wife’s fine taste in pinball games – and indeed what looks like Star Wars memorabilia in general.

What do you give the woman who has everything?

Inbox also-rans
Can someone please tell me why Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag is being advertised on television when it’s not out until November? I couldn’t believe it when I saw it. You wouldn’t see a DVD or film premiere being advertised on TV eight months before they were released. It just felt a bit strange to me.Urbanspacey

GC: That is weird. We had no idea.

Next gen Xbox. What would I like? Better graphics? Better games? No, all I want is to easily open the game cases! Took me 10 minutes to open Tomb Raider!Adam Lion 23 (gamertag)/Adam_Lion_23 (PSN ID)/4296-4214-8951 (3DS)

Any ETA on a review of Luigi’s Mansion 2? I’ve got high hopes and the trailers look great!Paulous99 (gamertag)

GC: They’re just sending out review copies this week. The review embargo is March 21.

Just a quick message to say thank you to the god of Inbox magic, less than a week since my letter and the first news of Thief 4 in years breaks. Inbox god I will worship at you alter for years to come, ommmm!mgb132g

GC: And what do we get? Star Wars 1313 cancelled. Why are we the only ones it doesn’t work for!

This week’s Hot Topic
The talking point for this weekend’s Inbox was suggested by reader Darren, who asks what’s the one in-game Achievement or Trophy you’ve put the most time and effort into getting?

Do you always try to get as many achievements as possible and how important are they to how much enjoyment and value for money you get out of a game? Have you ever bought, or not bought, a game based on its achievements? How important to you is your Gamerscore and do you use websites and videos to get all, or particularly difficult, achievements?

Do you actively pursue achievements from the very start or is it just something you do after you’ve completed the game? Do you think achievements in general are a good idea and how would you like to see them evolve in the next generation?